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Courtenay man charged with impaired driving way up north

The long arm of the law reached out and arrested a Courtenay man, accusing him of impaired driving in the Yukon.

The RCMP responded March 14 to two separate complaints of an impaired driver operating a motor vehicle. At approximately 1:30 p.m., police received a call from a concerned citizen who advised that an extremely intoxicated man was seen entering a white Chevy Astro van and driving away in downtown Whitehorse.

At 5:36 p.m., police responded to a second complaint of an impaired driver in a similar vehicle by security personnel at Erik Neilson International Airport. Police were advised that a heavily intoxicated male had been refused boarding onto a departing aircraft. The suspect then attempted to drive out of the airport parking lot. Witnesses stated that due to the level of intoxication, the driver wasn't able to operate the security toll gate, and was trapped in the parking lot. Upon attendance, police observed that the driver attempted to circumvent the toll gate by following another motorist through without paying. The vehicle collided with the toll arm, causing damage to it.

Randi Carl Farnsworth, a 58-year-old resident of Courtenay, was arrested for impaired driving. He appeared in Whitehorse Territorial Court and was released on conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 23.

Farnsworth is facing three Criminal Code charges including impaired operation of a motor vehicle, failing/refusing to provide a breath sample and mischief under $5,000.

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